IELTS is the biggest barrier for Bangladeshi students applying to UK universities. But here's what most students don't know — many UK universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter instead of IELTS. If your previous degree was taught entirely in English, you may qualify for direct admission without taking any English test at all.
1. What Is a MOI Letter?
A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is an official letter from your previous university or college confirming that your entire degree programme was taught and examined in English. It's issued by the registrar or examination controller on official letterhead with a seal and signature.
UK universities accept this as proof that your English is good enough for academic study — because you've already completed a full degree in English.
2. Who Can Use a MOI Letter?
You can use a MOI letter if:
- Your Bachelor's degree was taught 100% in English
- Your university is recognised and accredited
- You completed the degree within the last 2-5 years (varies by university)
- Your university is based in a country where English is the medium of instruction (Bangladesh qualifies for most UK universities)
Students from private universities like BRAC, NSU, IUB, UIU, and AIUB typically qualify. National University and many public university students may also qualify if their programmes were delivered in English.
3. UK Universities That Accept MOI Letters
Most post-1992 UK universities (modern universities) accept MOI letters. Some well-known ones include:
- University of Greenwich — accepts MOI from all Bangladeshi universities
- University of Hertfordshire — accepts MOI for postgraduate programmes
- Coventry University — accepts MOI with minimum 60% or CGPA 2.5
- London Metropolitan University — accepts MOI from recognised institutions
- University of East London — accepts MOI for most programmes
- Birmingham City University — accepts MOI for PG courses
- University of Bedfordshire — accepts MOI letter
- Anglia Ruskin University — accepts MOI from English-medium institutions
Important: Russell Group universities (Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, Edinburgh) generally do NOT accept MOI letters. They require IELTS or equivalent test scores.
4. What the Letter Must Include
Your MOI letter must contain these exact details to be accepted:
- Your full name and student ID
- Programme name and dates of study
- A clear statement that the medium of instruction was English
- A clear statement that all examinations were conducted in English
- University registrar's signature, name, and designation
- Official university letterhead and seal
- Date of issue (must be recent — within the last 6 months)
5. How to Get a MOI Letter
Step 1: Visit your university's examination or registrar office.
Step 2: Request a "Medium of Instruction Certificate" — some universities call it "English Medium Certificate" or "Language of Instruction Letter."
Step 3: Make sure it contains all the required details listed above.
Step 4: Get it on official letterhead with seal and signature. A printed copy on letterhead is essential — handwritten letters or emails are not accepted.
Step 5: Scan and upload a high-quality PDF when applying to UK universities.
Most Bangladeshi universities can issue this letter within 3-7 working days. Some charge a small fee (BDT 500-2000).
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use MOI for undergraduate admission?
Yes, if you completed your HSC or A-Levels in an English-medium institution. However, most UK universities require MOI mainly for postgraduate (Master's) programmes.
Does MOI work for student visa too?
The UK student visa (Student Route) has separate English language requirements. Even if your university accepts MOI for admission, UKVI may still require a SELT test (like IELTS for UKVI) for visa purposes. However, if you hold a degree from a "majority English-speaking country" or your university is listed by UKVI, you may be exempt. Your CAS letter will confirm this.
What if my university taught some subjects in Bangla?
If any part of your programme was in Bangla, the MOI letter won't be valid. The letter must confirm that 100% of instruction and examination was in English.
Is MOI better than taking IELTS?
MOI saves you BDT 25,000-30,000 (IELTS fee) and weeks of preparation. But IELTS gives you access to ALL UK universities including Russell Group. If you're targeting top-tier universities, take IELTS. If you're applying to modern universities and your degree was in English — MOI is the faster, cheaper route.